Tying Al's Rat

When fishing wet flies, the most productive rig I have ever used has been a #22 Al's Rat 18 inches below a sucker spawn. Put a small amount of weight another 12 inches up the line to get a natural drift along the stream bed. The sucker spawn acts as an attractor, but the tiny Al's Rat does most of the work as it represents the vast majority of what trout feed on in these parts; midges.

I learned of the Rat in my earliest days of fly fishing on my first visit to the Little Lehigh Fly Shop in Allentown, PA, and it was there that I met Al Miller; the creator of Al's Rat. Al was a staple at the fly shop. He was warm, kind, gracious, and always willing to share his knowledge on the sport of fly fishing.

Al Miller passed away on December 9, 2008. He is missed by many, but he will never be forgotten.

Comments and Questions:

JIM ASKED: What size & color sucker spawn do you use with Al's Rat rig?

Hi Jim,

The sucker spawn is size 18 and made using bubblegum color angora yarn, and red thread. The angora yarn produces a wispy finish that appears very milky when wet, and also a bit translucent. If you give it a try please let me know how you do, and where you are fishing it.

The sucker spawn and the rat each do very well on their own. But when used together, I have not yet found anything that can top it. It's a great rig.